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There is rightfully enormous respect for those known as Patriots who so valiantly fought for our United States independence, building ours as a free nation shed of the abuse of the oppressive royal empire Great Britain.
Consider that in the 1790 US Census there were only 3,894,000, the 2009 population of San Diego. Between 1892 and 1954 at Ellis Island alone 12,000,000 entered. Consider and compare the difference in descendants for less than 4 million in 1790, many of which did not fight for the freedom we have, to over 70,000,000 immigrants and their descendants since that time which does not include countless millions illegally residing in our Country.
The National Society Sons of the American Revolution identifies our organization as such:
The SAR is a “lineage” society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783.
That is the simple straightforward requirement set forth by the National Society Sons of the American Revolution on their web site. It need be realized at the offset that the ancestor must have been a direct blood line. That means adoptions are not qualified and simply stated the Patriot would have been your blood grandparent. Further the qualifying ancestor (called Patriot) must have been involved in the American Revolutionary War effort engaged only for the Colonies without assistance to the British in any way.
This all seems enormously complex. But consider here in South Carolina the greatest number of battles were fought and mainly by average farmers who were mostly not a part of the Continental Army but rather termed Militia. The need for honor and continued recognition becomes more and more critical with the passage of time. At this writing, in spite of the long lapse of time, or perhaps because of it, with many direct descendants springing from these Patriots we still have less than 700 members in South Carolina, less than 12,000 world wide, of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution. We need your brotherhood and encourage you to gain the honor of membership to share with your Patriot.
The easy way to become a SAR member is to connect to an already existing DAR or SAR member. Such connection is handled routinely by the national society and most common method of joining.. Gaining membership from self all the way back to a Patriot is most difficult, and I cite such case below.
About three years ago one was called upon to give a program for the local chapter D.A.R. At their routine business preceding his talk the speaker was profoundly impressed with their honor shown our country and those who fought for our freedom in The American Revolutionary War. He was caused to wonder: Is there such group for men? On web he Googled SAR and after passing a goodly number of Search and Rescue entries found Sons of the American Revolution. (I’d like to see a copyright and use of the term SoAR, which is more precise and less confusing).
The person immediately set about gaining membership in The SAR., naturally looking first to the father. With a well documented name, as is commonly the case, the expectant member had the genealogy far on the other side of the Revolution which included at least one Captain who served, apparently in his direct line. In this search he suddenly discovered a documented adoption in the line, so the dad was out. He then turned to that famous Dutch Fork name of his mother. There was not only had a Captain, but this Captain had 3 sons , 1 documented as serving the cause in addition to the Captain. In the local library the hopeful discovered an extensive compilation of the exact family that his mother belonged to leading directly to the Revolutionary War Captain. That seemed certain but having no knowledge of how to submit an application to SAR but with the good grace and service of a member of DAR he found all the ready assistance one could want.. And mighty work it was! Family history or family tradition as it is more formally called, has no validity in gaining SAR membership. There must be clear legal proof such as wills, land grants or approved pension applications and in some cases bible notations are acceptable. Old Lexington from where this family came, had at least two fires that destroyed many important records and some ancestors now rest beneath Lake Murray. Even so, after searching for about a year the genealogists was able to get within 2 generations of the Captain but could find no solid proof of his son, even well documented including the census, that was acceptable to SAR.
A genealogist who had familiarity with searched for name connections suggested a different surname which had a proven connection to the one seeking membership. This family history was also found in the local library. However, it went far beyond family tradition in having copies of wills, land grants and the pension application of a well documented Revolutionary War Patriot along with a discussion of his grave. With this connection the application was submitted and accepted almost immediately without further requirements.
This tells all that we need look beyond the surnames of our immediate parents for they have ancestors of both genders with almost countless connections.
This man who finally found his hero states: “No words can convey the humble pride I felt kneeling by the ancient tombstone of my Revolutionary War Patriot resting less than 15 miles from my residency. It is something for you who have yet to connect to such, to strive for in order to realize that completeness and fuller meaning of being.
With this membership there is a very easy quick hook on to at least 24 individuals within a few miles of where I live. Hopefully they will realize the joy and great benefit of membership as sons and daughters of the American Revolution; honoring those brave Patriots who gave all they had to establish our nation.
Want help in connecting?
In Newberry-or
(803) 321-2039 Leave message
National website-
State website-
http://www.scssar.org/membership.htm
